Catholic Doctors Gather to Express Concerns

Catholic Medical Association Meeting in St. Paul

I'm attending the Catholic Medical Association's 81st educational conference in St. Paul, Minn. To say that the issues of conscience rights and the Health and Human Service's mandate are on the minds of the physicians, nurses, physician assistants, and medical students would be an understatement. The sense of concern and anxiety among the attendees is palpable.

The organizers expected 400 attendees. More than 600 showed up, as well approximately 67 medical students. The topics being discussed in the sessions and being talked about between sessions have concentrated on the attacks on Catholic medical professionals and their practice. The conference has featured an all-star line-up of speakers who are explaining to the members how we find ourselves in the cultural battle we're engaged in, how to bear witness to the truth and bring it to bear on the practice of medicine.

Papal biographer George Weigel spoke on the crisis of modernity, author Brian Gail spoke about the life sciences challenges facing us, First Things editor Russell Reno spoke about bringing faith into the public square, and Father Robert Spitzer presented ways to use the new media for evangelization.

"The Catholic Church stands in the way of the sexual revolution - efforts to redefine marriage, access to abortion and reproductive technology, and mercy killings," said Russell Reno, editor of First Things. "Our increasingly aggressive adversaries will continue to use their political muscle to push us out of the way."

“These are critical times," Santa Rosa Bishop Robert Vasa told me. "Whether or not a physician is practicing in line with the teachings of the Church, they're going to be forced to do something they may not want to do."

"This is a clarion call for America," added Bishop Vasa. "American Catholics, and in particular American Catholic physicians have to wake up to the fact that they can no longer presume that their individual choices about how they practice medicine in this country will be respected."

Comments

Father Anthony Zimmerman, STD (now deceased), wrote an very good article on why this all happened. “Contraception in Creeping Death.” Available here:
http://www.catholicsagainstcontraception.com/fr_anthony_zimmerman_contraception_is_creeping_death.htm

Posted by Sherry on Monday, Oct 1, 2012 1:42 PM (EST):

I am so glad the Catholic doctors had a chance to hear Brian Gail (along, of course, with all the other terrific speakers). His is a powerful message. His trilogy, “Fatherless”, “Motherless”, and “Childless”, along with his DVDs are not only entertaining, they are really helpful in pointing out the consequences of our lackadaisical attitude toward so many critical issues. People look at what’s happening today and ask, “How could this have happened so fast” - but Brian Gail shows very clearly the path toward the “Culture of Death” in a most vivid way. The medical profession has more than its share of challenges and it will only get worse unless we can stem the tide.

Join the Discussion

We encourage a lively and honest discussion of our content. We ask that charity guide your words.
By submitting this form, you are agreeing to our discussion guidelines.
Comments are published at our discretion. We won’t publish comments that lack charity, are off topic, or are more than 400 words.
Thank you for keeping this forum thoughtful and respectful.

Comments are no longer being accepted on this article.

About Tim Drake

Tim Drake is an award-winning writer and former journalist and radio host with the National Catholic Register/EWTN. He currently serves as New Evangelization Coordinator for the Holdingford Area Catholic Community in the Diocese of St. Cloud, Minnesota. He resides with his wife and five children in St. Joseph, Minn.